HALF-GONE-Pictured is the Madison College building 12 miles east of Cambridge, Ohio, which is being torn down. Only half of the building remained when this picture was snapped.
The old school building was sold some time ago to Foster Luyster, near Freeport, who wrecked the east half, leaving the gaping west half still standing. Presumably, it will be removed later. The plot of ground, about three-quarters of an acre is owned by Enos Hayhurst, who lives nearby.
This is the last trace of schools that existed on the onetime campus for a century and a quarter, the only chartered college in Guernsey County.
IN THE 1830s, Dr. Samuel Findley, a Presbyterian minister, opened a private school using one room of his log cabin for recitations. He offered courses in advanced subjects. His first class consisted of eight young men. From that humble start, the school grew into Guernsey's County's first and only chartered school. It was designated as Madison College by act of Legislature, March 16, 1839.
With support of the people of the community, it achieved a standing that drew students from eastern Ohio, Pennsylvania and as far west as Illinois and Iowa,
The little academy on the hilltop presented a formidable curriculum of geometry, plane and spherical trigonometry, logic, theoIogy, chemistry, moral science and natural philosophy.
TUITION CHARGES were $10 a session and a week's board came to $1.50. Originally intended as a boy's school, it soon admitted girls. While denominational in control, it placed no restrictions upon the students' church affiliations. Three literary societies, two male and one female, were the extra curriculum facilities.
In the administration of Dr. William Findley, Jr., a movement was started to provide a new college building. This necessitated, the raising of sum of money and much opposition was voiced. However, the building was erected.
The mortgage began ca [?] ing up and in the fever of [?] War days, the school [?] closed. It never re-opned
The Rev. William L [?] was the last president.